Kevin Welch out at the Mountain.

[AQH]

This news about recent changes in AAA Seattle is VERY closely related to ten years worth of changes in Portland, Boulder, SF, LA, and Burlington VT. It's really easy to shake a fist at the cool kids from the H.S. lunch table - for failing and consequently avoiding life after the glory days - but considering that it's a small world there on "radio and records island" I'll do you a favor and refuse to play along with the gossip gallery started here in this thread. Instead, let us all marvel at the unknown set of circumstances utilized by the Entercom buisness strategists. This story reaveals to us exactly how our leaders believe we ended up living inside a struggling industry and so long as a wise decision is made during the next part of the hiring process, there may actually be life on the otherside of the Mountain.

Huh?

Let me try and translate.

I think hawk is saying that The Mountain's music adjustment is no different than the cities mentioned and that Entercom is a terrible company to work for and there's hope working elsewhere.

 

[worc47]

It is always sad to seem someone fired from radio. I have found that Program Directors generally have fans and those who dislike them. PD's and Sales Managers are the definition of middle-management in this business and get grief from above and below. They also take much of the blame for things out of their control. Ratings and sales can be driven by marketing decisions, budgets, talent and more.

This makes me admire those station PD's who have lasted a long time in the same position. I am thinking of CC at KZOK and Becky B at KMPS. Kent Phillips at KPLZ and Eric Powers at KUBE. They have been in place for over a decade and their stations do very well in revenue and in their respective demos. A look at the Winter 09 book showed KZOK number one 25-54 adults and men and KMPS number two 25-54 women and number two 25-54 adults. KPLZ was number one 25-54 women and KUBE number one 18-34. Says a lot.

Trust me CC runs three stations alone! All of us still working do numerous jobs and KZOK through great teamwork put up a great number. To all of you still working during these times, my hat is off!

 

[hungryhawk]

This news about recent changes in AAA Seattle is VERY closely related to ten years worth of changes in Portland, Boulder, SF, LA, and Burlington VT. It's really easy to shake a fist at the cool kids from the H.S. lunch table - for failing and consequently avoiding life after the glory days - but considering that it's a small world there on "radio and records island" I'll do you a favor and refuse to play along with the gossip gallery started here in this thread. Instead, let us all marvel at the unknown set of circumstances utilized by the Entercom buisness strategists. This story reaveals to us exactly how our leaders believe we ended up living inside a struggling industry and so long as a wise decision is made during the next part of the hiring process, there may actually be life on the otherside of the Mountain.

Huh?

Let me try and translate.

I think hawk is saying that The Mountain's music adjustment is no different than the cities mentioned and that Entercom is a terrible company to work for and there's hope working elsewhere.

Thanks AQH, I forgot, the radio industry doesn't nuture solid language skills. I think you've done a pretty good job deciphering an otherwise cryptic message.

I would add that the Mountain's "music adjustment" is closely related to staffing adjustments and imaging adjustments in those other cities as well (Zeb's station is closer to an original recipe and thus has a little more spice so he's off the hook

As for Entercom. Not a terrible place at all. I spent a year with them and aside from the homogonized corporate work environment they have adapted too I'd say The big E is a decent group of people just trying to do what they think is best. So yes, saying nothing with a lot of words, but no interest in becoming a politician thanks. (save the gratuitious salary and overwhelming sense of super human entitlement).

-hawk

 

[atwater kent]

This news about recent changes in AAA Seattle is VERY closely related to ten years worth of changes in Portland, Boulder, SF, LA, and Burlington VT.  It's really easy to shake a fist at the cool kids from the H.S. lunch table - for failing and consequently avoiding life after the glory days - but considering that it's a small world there on "radio and records island"  I'll do you a favor and refuse to play along with the gossip gallery started here in this thread.  Instead, let us all marvel at the unknown set of circumstances utilized by the Entercom buisness strategists.  This story reaveals to us exactly how our leaders believe we ended up living inside a struggling industry and so long as a wise decision is made during the next part of the hiring process, there may actually be life on the otherside of the Mountain.   

Huh?

Let me try and translate.

I think hawk is saying that The Mountain's music adjustment is no different than the cities mentioned and that Entercom is a terrible company to work for and there's hope working elsewhere.

Thanks AQH, I forgot, the radio industry doesn't nuture solid language skills.  I think you've done a pretty good job deciphering an otherwise cryptic message.

I would add that the Mountain's "music adjustment" is closely related to staffing adjustments and imaging adjustments in those other cities as well (Zeb's station is closer to an original recipe and thus has a little more spice so he's off the hook

As for Entercom.  Not a terrible place at all.  I spent a year with them and aside from the homogonized corporate work environment they have adapted too I'd say The big E is a decent group of people just trying to do what they think is best.  So yes, saying nothing with a lot of words, but no interest in becoming a politician thanks. (save the gratuitious salary and overwhelming sense of super human entitlement).

-hawk

Well, as a radio industry person you may have just proven your own point.

"Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation." 

To my ear, the Mountain of the last two years most closely resembles the music & imaging path of Welch's obvious template, KINK in Portland.  KBCO, KFOG and the Sound in LA don't really reflect much of what I hear here at KMTT.

 

[the brakes]

To my ear, the Mountain of the last two years most closely resembles the music & imaging path of Welch's obvious template, KINK in Portland

KINK isn't this lame.

 

[IndigoCoyote]

Lame? Please define "lame" in this context. What, in your opinion, makes this station "lame"?

I don't get the continuous negativity on this board. What would you do differently, within the context of a AAA format, that would make it less "lame"?

 

[Zeb Norris]

Thanks AQH, I forgot, the radio industry doesn't nuture solid language skills. I think you've done a pretty good job deciphering an otherwise cryptic message.

I would add that the Mountain's "music adjustment" is closely related to staffing adjustments and imaging adjustments in those other cities as well (Zeb's station is closer to an original recipe and thus has a little more spice so he's off the hook

As for Entercom. Not a terrible place at all. I spent a year with them and aside from the homogonized corporate work environment they have adapted too I'd say The big E is a decent group of people just trying to do what they think is best. So yes, saying nothing with a lot of words, but no interest in becoming a politician thanks. (save the gratuitious salary and overwhelming sense of super human entitlement).

-hawk

So I have poor language skills, but I'm "off the hook". Good to know.

Seeing as the actual, you know, TOPIC is Keving getting let go, I was under the impression that you were suggesting that I was somehow responsible for his exit. From Market #137. In New England.

Just my piss poor language skills in action.

 

[the brakes]

Lame? Please define "lame" in this context. What, in your opinion, makes this station "lame"?

I don't get the continuous negativity on this board. What would you do differently, within the context of a AAA format, that would make it less "lame"?

You're right...way too much negativity for my taste on this board and "my bad" for adding to it even more. To me, the Mountain has become an AC/AAA hybrid. I'm much more of a fan of the Chris May's days when they rocked out just a bit more. I also loved Brad Dollbeer's "Friday Night Flashback". Now they are live only from AM thru PM Drive. Nights and weekends are VT'd...what a shame! The entertainment factor on nights and weekends is non-existant.

And I believe that KINK is in the same boat in terms of VT'ing.

 

[HowardMBurgers]

Nights and weekends are VT'd...what a shame! The entertainment factor on nights and weekends is non-existant.

And I believe that KINK is in the same boat in terms of VT'ing.

That is an interesting statement. So you consider live weekend air talent to be entertainment? I've always known non-syndicated weekend talent to be for the most part place holders, usually rookies working with a very tight leash while paying their dues.

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

I don't envy AAA programmers. Nature of that format is to try to pick up an audience disenfranchised from mainstream high-rotation formats. So as you step into anything a little more eclectic, you're bound to start alienating some people. Do a different direction, and the first group you tried to please is unhappy. Add to that the on-demand online channels that address some of those niches, downloads, etc. and it's gotta be a VERY sensitive balance to meet. My understanding was KMTT had leaned a little more mainstream to try to pick up some numbers to sell by....

Unfortunately (mainstream stations included), the weekends are a great time for DIFFERENT programs; but now the industry has embraced those slots as voicetracked or just "otto mation" by himself. It used to be a great playground for specialty shows (as KJR-F does with reruns of Casem shows); and would be a good chance to experiment with music mixes, etc. I'd love to hear something like a "classic Country Sunday morning" on KMPS, for example. I think Classic runs on the HD channel still?

 

[IndigoCoyote]

Thanks, "the brakes". Now I understand. And I can't say as I completely disagree. I think I have been enjoying the Mtn more lately because they seem to be embracing more new music, which I applaud. But if by doing so they cannibalize sister station the End, probably not a great move.

 

[Old Yeller]

Good luck Kevin. From the posts here, I'm in the minority. To my ears and taste, I actually thought you had the Mountain sounding good.

Best of luck.